Majors: Bachelor of Science

We offer nine majors for you to choose from. The College of Computing and Technology has exciting and unique programs that prepare graduates for the world of systems engineering, science, management, development and security. Click on one of the tabs below or to the left to find out!

Computer Science

The computer science major provides the opportunity to explore the theoretical and scientific aspects of computing. The program provides preparation both for employment and for graduate programs in computing.

Computer science is mathematically rigorous and spans the range from theory through programming to cutting edge development of computing solutions. The computer science major, or degree program, is broad, rigorous, and structured in a way that supports in-depth and systematic study of algorithmic processes - their theory, analysis, design, efficiency, implementation, and application.

It trains students to think creatively and logically to solve large and complex problems, and to communicate with clarity and precision. It sets the stage for graduate study or immediate employment in a wide variety of careers in scientific research, industry, business, and government, and is an attractive major for the incoming freshman and also for the continuing student who is considering a new field of study.

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics offers a heavy dose of both the computational and mathematical aspects of the computing sciences. Among our most rigorous undergraduate degree programs, this option allows students to study advanced topics in computer science and mathematics in preparation for top-tier graduate study or premier industry and R&D placements

The Data Science program integrates courses in logical reasoning, computer programming, data analytics, human-computer interaction, and other skills that help students to put technology to better use. It has a mandatory internship requirement and students team up with classmates on capstone senior projects that showcase their skills to potential employers.

Graduates from the program will be able to apply their tech knowledge to areas of interest—such as biology, business, environmental management, healthcare, telecommunications, sustainable practice, and Web development—to create new uses for technology and the way people interact with it. They are adept at designing, refining and building information systems and technologies. They are attuned to the needs that drive people to seek information. They are concerned with issues like access, privacy and usability. And, they understand the increasingly complex social and organizational environments in which people seek to fill their information needs—in theoretical, virtual and physical spaces.

Our graduates are ambassadors for the transformative power of information when applied ethically and effectively.

The Bachelor of Science in GameDevelopment degree program allows students to study and explore the creation of games andgame software at a level of rigor expected from a traditional computer science program. An amalgamation of computer science, game design, artificial intelligence, game theory, computer graphics, simulation, and advanced mathematics, this program offers students true insight into the knowledge areas required to create modern games and game software.

The information security major, or degree program, offers a deep grounding covering the breadth of information security from theoretical frameworks through models to policies and ethical practices.

The field of information security has grown and evolved significantly in recent years. It is concerned with the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data regardless of the form the data may take: electronic, print, or other forms. Governments, military, corporations, financial institutions, hospitals and private businesses amass a great deal of confidential information about their employees, customers, products, research, and financial status. Most of this information is collected, processed, and stored on electronic computers and transmitted across networks to other computers. Protecting confidential information is a business requirement, and in many cases, also an ethical and legal requirement.

IT is not limited solely to computers though. With technologies quickly developing in the fields of cell phones, PDAs and other handheld devices, the field of IT is quickly moving from compartmentalized computer- focused areas to other forms of mobile technology.

The IT major, or degree program, develops broad, integrated knowledge spanning the range from telecommunications and computer networking through computer-based information systems to management of IT applications and projects.

The information technology management (ITM) major prepares students for various careers in the area of business information systems.

The curriculum includes a strong business foundation coupled with information technology applications and business systems design and implementation.

Graduates with an understanding of both business and technology are in high demand. According to the Nashville Technology Council, the demand for information technology professionals in Nashville has recently increased 120% with almost one thousand unfilled positions in 2012.

The program in Software Engineering degree program has been created in response to the growing importance of software to the national infrastructure and the rapid rise in demand for professional software engineers.

The program is a multidisciplinary university degree which draws on the strengths of existing Lipscomb University programs in computer science, information technology and mathematics. It provides a curriculum that encompasses behavioral and technical aspects of software engineering, focusing on the most advanced practices, including the equally critical human factor in software development, testing, and validation for producing high quality, sophisticated, and dependable software products.

The program is designed specifically for students interested in a range of application domains, including game development, database systems and security, information technology entrepreneurship, mobile computing, programming theory and applications, and Web application development.

Software engineering is a top-rated profession. It was named the best job of 2011 by CareerCast.com, based on work environment, physical demands, outlook, income, and stress. The hiring outlook for software engineers is favorable, thanks largely to new, exciting technology like smartphones, tablet applications, and cloud (online-hosted) software. Likewise, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that job opportunities in the field of software engineering will continue to expand through 2018—and a bachelor’s degree will be a prerequisite for many of these positions.

The web application development major, or degree program, integrates tools and technology needed to understand the language of Web design and development, and how to take that knowledge into a professional career creating a variety of interactive web content. Web development is a broad term for the work involved in developing a web site for the Internet (World Wide Web) or an intranet (a private network).

However, among web professionals, “web development” usually refers to the main non-design aspects of building web sites: writing markup and coding. Web development can range from developing the simplest static single page of plain text to the most complex web-based Internet applications, electronic businesses, or social network services.